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Bananas Raise Hope For Stopping HIV and Microbial Spread

Parents of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency (AIDS) may heaved a sign of relief following the results of the of a new United state study suggesting that bananas may beat anti retroviral drugs in stopping HIV/AIDS spread. In another development, the Nigerian researchers at the University of Lagos have shown that potency of unripe banana (MUSA SAPIENTUM), lemon grass (CYMBOPOGON CITTRATUS) and turmeric (CUREUMA LONGA) against pathogens that cause typhoid fever (SAMONELLA PARATYPHI), pneumonia (KLEBSIELLA PNEUMONIAE), skin afflictions (STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS). The new study which was published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry concluded that banana lectins, a natural chemical found in banana has the ability to stop the transmission and prevent HIV. The study title A lectin isolated from banana is a potent inhibitor of HIV replication was conducted by Michael D Swanson, Harry C.Winter, Irwin J. Goldstein and David Markovitz from the department of Internal Medicine, Division of infectious diseases. Programme in Immunology, cellular and molecular biology programme and department of biological chemistry, university of Michigan Medical centre. This new research found Ban lec, a jacalin-related lectin isolated from the fruit of bananas, a potential component for an anti viral microbicide that could be used to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV-1 Ban lec is an effective anti HIV lectin and is similar potency to T-20 and maraviroc, two anti HIV drugs currently in clinical use. Dried banana pulp has also shown promise as natural agents for lowering blood cholesterol levels and the risk of heart diseases. Nigerian researchers have successfully used dried banana pulp to treat hypercholesterolaemia in animal models. Hypercholesterolaemia is a condition in which levels of cholesterol in the blood are higher than normal. The researcher claim this hypercholesterolaemic effect (lowering of the blood cholesterol levels) can be replicated in human. Banana fruits have been reported to prevent anaemia (lack of blood) by stimulating the production of haemoglobin in the blood. Haemoglobin is the iron containing oxygen transport metalloprotein in the red blood cells of vertebrates and the tissues of some invertebrates. Several studies have shown that the medicinal parts of banana used are the fruits mainly as well as peels, leaves and juice. Banana function in regulating blood pressure has been linked with high content of potassium. Banana is known to help solve the problem of constipation. Without necessary resort to laxatives. Banana has been known to cure heart burns, stress, strokes, ulcers and many other ailments. The root of banana is anthelmintic (worm expeller by stunning or killing them). The fruit has been used as part of anti ulcer diet in combination with pineapples, blueberries, cloves, ginger and cinnamon. Also anti fungal and antibiotic chemical substances are found in the peel and the pulp of fully ripe banana. The peel in combination of other substances made into a linitment helps to reduce acute arthritis pain and aches.

Legal DNA Paternity Testing

Since 1985, the use of DNA Analysis has substantially increased within the legal services community. DNA analysis is able to provide a simple and accurate method of determining the identity of an individual and also to establish if there are any biological relationships between two or more people. This can resolve many legal matters, ranging from family law (such as child support, child custody, and visitation disputes), inheritance disputes, or to satisfy immigration requirements.

A DNA paternity test compares the DNA of the child to that of the alleged father. Since every child inherits half their DNA from each biological parent, it can be determined whether or not the alleged father contributed to the DNA of the child.

Eurofins Forensic Services utilises the most advanced, accurate and reliable method of DNA analysis available from our ISO 17025 accredited laboratories. In addition we operate a strict chain of custody procedure for legal DNA paternity testing; this is what makes our test results legally defensible in courts of law. From the moment a legal instruction is made the entire process is documented and can be checked at every stage.

Function of DNA

DNA contains the information to make proteins, which carry out all the functions and characteristics of living organisms.

Each protein is encoded by a gene, a specific sequence of DNA nucleotides that specifies how a single protein is to be made and the order and types of amino acids (building blocks of proteins) that must be put together to make a protein.

The particular sequence of amino acids in the chain is what makes one protein different from another and ideal for different functions which include:
Enzymes that carry out chemical reactions (such as digestive enzymes)
Structural proteins that are building materials (such as collagen and nail keratin)
Transport proteins that carry substances (such as oxygen-carrying hemoglobin in blood)
Contraction proteins that cause muscles to compress (such as actin and myosin)
Storage proteins that hold on to substances (such as albumin in egg whites and iron-storing ferritin in your spleen)
Hormones - chemical messengers between cells (including insulin, estrogen, testosterone, cortisol, et cetera)
Protective proteins - antibodies of the immune system, clotting proteins in blood
Toxins - poisonous substances (such as bee venom and snake venom)

DNA Analysis

The DNA of a person is responsible for providing information regarding who and what the person is since it contains the design of the genetically passed traits taken from both parents. A lot of information may be attained when one carefully studies the DNA and relates it to possible other discoveries about the person, such as parentage, disease predisposition, etc. DNA is responsible for the person's hair color, eye color, build, susceptibility to certain disorders, and a lot more. Careful analysis must be done in order to use the DNA as a means to study and evaluate a person with regard to inherent traits passed on by his/her parents.

DNA analysis entails the careful scrutiny of the DNA. Understanding how the DNA works, its physical structure, the limits of its characteristics, and how these all help in providing much needed personal information are some of the ways in which DNA properties are optimized. Not everyone can successfully and properly analyze DNA. Aside from years of study devoted to the understanding of DNA, DNA analysts also go through years of experience and practice in laboratories and in the practice of DNA testing and analysis to enable them to analyze DNA and how it works. Training of DNA analysts also includes understanding sophisticated tools and machines designed for specific DNA analysis. Proper management and use of these devices would make them more efficient in the effort to analyze DNA correctly.

Most DNA consists of 23 pairs of chromosomes, the mitochondrial DNA inherited from the mother, and red blood cells. All these elements are carefully purified, studied, and then measured against existing DNA criteria, depending on which use the DNA analysis is deemed for. DNA analysis determines the sequence of the base pairs along the length of the DNA and will provide information as to which of the gene components contains just genes, which regulate genes, which among them have functions, or which have functions still to be discovered.

What Is DNA

DNA is a biological material that enables an individual to be identified against any other individual anywhere in the world. It is the most effective subject for determining whether two or more individuals are biologically related, and it is of vital importance in solving crime and determining paternity. But most people don't know a great deal about what DNA actually is, how it works and why it is the subject of so much research and so much development spending.

DNA, or Deoxyribonucleic acid, is a material found in us all, profiling what we're like and where we've come from. It's passed down to us from our parents, where we receive half of our DNA maternally and half our DNA paternally. The DNA itself contains the instruction or blueprint for life, and controls the function of the cells as well as being a perfect indicator of ancestry and biological relations.

DNA is made up of various nucleotides, and is essentially made up of amino acids, and it is matched with the so-called bases which provide the key to determining the genetic blueprint. DNA can be extracted from a range of sources, including samples of hair, cigarette butts, blood, razor clippings or saliva. Thus it is relatively easy to obtain samples, which can then be tested in a laboratory to determine any genetic relationships that may be present.

Where DNA Comes From

DNA is made up of one half of your mother's DNA and one half of your father's DNA, and will be 50% passed down to your children. It is this that ensures DNA is unique, and allows for accurate testing of parentage and direct descendance through a DNA paternity test.

Why Is DNA Important?

Biologically, DNA is essential to life. It's found in all humans and all other organisms, in every cell, and stores complex information about the way we are, inherited from our parents. What this means is that DNA is absolutely unique and individual, which is perfect for determining factual circumstances in a number of cases. Through testing DNA, relationships of parentage can be easily established as can siblingship and even more distant family relationships. It can also help establish where two specimens of DNA match, thus allowing identification of the same DNA profile to be made for legal reasons.

Whilst DNA is important biologically, it is also becoming an increasing factor in our everyday lives, with immigration processes, the police and the judicial system all relying on formal DNA testing as part of their fact-finding procedures. Whilst the results from DNA testing are not exactly conclusive of the facts, they do provide one of the best and most reliable guarantees of accurate, positive identification.

Income Tax Rates

The income tax rates are important information that every person should be aware of as it would help them in filing their taxes appropriately. For the year 2011, the income tax rates would remain largely similar to the rates that were prevalent in 2010. Going into 2011, the IRS announced that due to low inflation and slow economy the rates have not changed much. Keeping the consumer price index (CPI) in mind and the stagnated growth, the IRS decided to keep the personal exemption amount and the standard deduction bracket similar to the 2010 tax rates.

Understanding federal and state taxes isn't that difficult if you understand the rates. Once you know about the rates, then you can easily decide which bracket applies in your case and thereby you can estimate your taxes on your own. The state income taxes generally range between 1% and 10%, and for every state there is a different rate. In some states there are also city income taxes so you must be aware of that too. With the start of 2011, it may be predicted that President Obama might cut down the Bush rates and go back to the income tax rates prevalent in 2001 to 2003. The top income tax rate might go back to 39.6 percent while the low bracket of 10 percent might be eliminated in future.

For this year 2011, the tax we pay might see an increase in capital gains and dividend rates. The capital gains rate might go back to 20 percent from 15 percent that was prevalent in 2010, and your dividend income might be taxed as your ordinary income so you must keep all these points in mind to calculate your tax correctly in future.

The rates keep changing yearly and unless you are well aware of the rates then you might suffer tremendously if you calculate your taxes with the old tax rate. You should keep track of your previous year income and taxes to chalk out your future taxes correctly. You must also look into child tax credit and the estate tax rates to calculate your taxes correctly.

Lastly, income tax rates can be checked online from any government site or you can also download them for easy reference. You can check on the rates table from any place, as long as it is reliable and you must use the correct rates to calculate your income taxes.

Common Tax Issues

When dealing with tax issues, there are several that come up which are fairly common. An experienced tax lawyer can help you navigate these issues and ensure that you are well protected. But be on the lookout for any of these issues:

* Family status issues. This section includes how you file and what you are claiming for dependents. The most common Baltimore tax issue here is when the issue becomes complicated due to divorce. This then spirals into child support laws as well as spousal support. These things need to be detailed in your paperwork when you are filing taxes. This also applies to guardianship fees and documents. Court fees for divorce proceedings are commonly reported incorrectly, as well as custody hearings.
* Gross income. While gross income is basically all income received by the taxpayer in a given tax year, often this is not reported properly, as assets that are received of value throughout the year are also considered. This can include lottery winnings and other prize money, or rewards that were received. These all need to be reported properly.
* Business expenses. Another of the most common Baltimore tax issues, business expenses need to be very carefully detailed. The best way to do so is by saving receipts from the business. This will ensure that you can prove your business expenses if you are audited. For example, a new computer is a fine business expense, as long as you can prove that it is only being used for business. Otherwise, it cannot be reported as such.

Tax law can be very complicated, which is why an experienced legal professional can be very helpful when you are dealing with a difficult tax situation. A good tax attorney will be able to help you navigate these tax issues so that you can be sure your earnings and expenses are reported correctly at the end of the year.

Learn More About Auto Forex Trading Currency Pairings

When speaking with those who haven't tried auto forex trading before, even if they are familiar with th eworld of bonds, futures, or even stocks, it makes me remember that for this global market, even the very basics must be explained. So let's jump right into what the pairings mean, what the main pairings are, and what the cross pairings are .
What exactly is a currency pair ? We'll begin with the Eur/Usd this has as the base currency the US dollar against the Euro . What is the meaning of the pari when I have a price quote that is 1.3200 on the Eur/Usd? Here is the easy way you can keep the answer in mind : take the base currency pair , the US dollar here, take a look at the 1.3200 price quote , and then say , " 1.3200 US dollars are needed to purchase 1 Euro." The price quote means exactly that . Maybe you look a few weeks later at the price quote and now it is 1.4000 then that means the US Dollar as gotten weaker against the Euro since it now will take you 1.4000 US dollars to purchase just one Euro. On the other hand, if a couple months later the price quote is then 1.25000 , then the US Dollar has become stronger because now it will only take 1.2400 US Dollars to buy 1 Euro .
Auto forex trading can be especially challenging when for the Usd/Jpy pair you see a price quote that is 100.50. Using the above method , you take the Jpy base currency and look at the 100.50 price quote and to purchase one US dollar this is the amount of Jpy it takes . Isn't that fairly easy? You should no longer have problems figuring out the price quote on a pair when you see a quote window or chart screen .
Now that we know how to read the price quotes , what are the main and cross pairs ? You'll find the main pairs happen to be the strongest world economies paired versus the US dollar. A few of these pairs are Eur/Usd, Gbp/Usd, Aud/Usd, Usd/Cad, Usd/Jpy, and Nzd/Usd . Cross pairs do not involve the US dollar such as Eur/Jpy, Gbp/Jpy or Eur/Gbp to name a few of the more popular ones .
Hopefully this article will be of help to you if you find you're intimidated by the auto forex trading landscape in the past . You may need a bit of time to get used to this with all of the different currency pairs, time zones, and economies . Once you begin realizing how the pieces all go together it really is not too hard - and many of us think it's actually quite fun